An HSRC study on South African labour market trends and future workforce needs for 1998 – 2003 forecasts low levels of job creation, job losses in unskilled labour and an increasing demand for IT and other professionals. According to the study, which mainly focuses on professionals and artisans, less than 50 000 jobs will be created, despite an estimated annual growth in output of 2.7 per cent. The trade, catering and accommodation sector is expected to be the largest creator of employment, thanks to the expected growth in tourism, followed by the finance and construction sector. On the other hand, the services sector is expected to be the largest destroyer of jobs, mainly due to job losses in government.